Local Focus
The East Riding of Yorkshire Modern Slavery Local Forum was held on 23 May 2023. The attachments are below:
A guide to making an effective NRM referral (pdf 2.2mb)
June 2023 saw partners from Safeguarding Adults Boards, Children’s Safeguarding Partnerships and Community Safety Partnerships across East Riding, North Yorkshire and the City of York have come together to develop an extensive programme of learning events, seminars and interactive sessions which all underpinned this year’s theme - Safeguarding is everybody’s business
As part of safeguarding week East Riding Safeguarding Adults Board were calling on people to become a Modern Slavery Champion.
Modern Slavery Champions will be asked to:
- be a point of contact for queries
- receive and share the quarterly newsletter from Humber Modern Slavery partnership
- be responsible for cascading information
- encourage team members to complete training appropriate to their roles
- be a conduit for feeding intelligence into the partnership
- report back best practice or new ideas for sharing in the Humber-wide newsletter.
Training will be provided and there will be opportunities to attend future events at the Wilberforce Institute in Hull. The role should not take up too much time but should help to enhance knowledge and enable champions to feel part of the solution to modern slavery. Champions will receive regular updates, briefings and support.
Anyone interested in becoming a Modern Slavery Champion should email
The Humber Modern Slavery Partnership met on 20 June 2023, a presentation was delivered by the Humber Violence Prevention Partnership:
HMSP HVPP Update 20 June 2023 (pdf 326kb)
The Wilberforce Institute, alongside partners at Shiva Foundation and the West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network, would like to invite partners to participate in a Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre (MSPEC)-funded research project that is seeking to understand the value of cultural understanding and culturally sensitive practice in improving modern slavery support services, the early identification of victims, and equity and effectiveness in the legal enforcement of modern slavery crimes.
This study is attempting to answer two main questions:
- To what extent can engagement and delivery of services to individuals be improved based on their cultural background and identity?
- What are the cultural and identity barriers for people with lived experience of modern slavery to engage with the necessary professionals and organisations? How can these be managed/mitigated?
If you would like to learn more about this study, or if you would like to take part, please email
National Focus
In May 2023 Unseen published their annual report. The findings are from the Helpline Annual Assessment, one of the most detailed reports on the nature of modern slavery in the UK.
The figures for 2022 reveal:
- a potential 6,516 victims of modern slavery indicated – an increase of 116% compared to 2021
- a total of 7,315 calls from victims, the public and professionals working in organisations such as the NHS, local government and businesses – an increase of 16%
- 9,779 contacts overall, which is the number of calls plus 2,464 contacts through our website and app
- 1,046 cases of labour exploitation reported – an increase of 134%
- 479 cases of sexual exploitation, where people are forced into sex work – an increase of 66%
- 114 cases of domestic servitude, where people are forced to work as servants in a home – an increase of 75%
- a huge increase in potential victims in the care sector – 708 reported in 2022 (1,024% increase on 2021)
- potential victims from 99 countries, with Romania being the most common, followed by India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Albania, China and the UK.
The report can be downloaded here (external website)
In July 2023, the Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance was updated following a judicial review challenge that led to the Home Secretary agreeing to withdraw, reconsider and revise parts of the Guidance. The updated guidance is available here.
On 18 July 2020 the Illegal Migration Bill is set to become law after the government won a final series of votes in the Lords.
The legislation is central to the prime minister's pledge to stop small boats crossing the English Channel.
Under the bill, the home secretary has a legal duty to detain and remove anyone entering the UK illegally.
The bill will now go for royal assent and become law.
In the news
Below are a selected number of recent articles around Modern Slavery:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/modern-slavery-law-small-boats-b2367378.html
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/23/asia/modern-slavery-index-2023-intl-hnk/index.html
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66229585
Training Opportunities
Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board Modern Slavery - Awareness Raising Date and time
Mon, 24 Jul 2023 10:00 - 12:30 BST
The aim of this session is to provide a basic introduction to modern slavery by outlining the legal framework, definitions and principles that are used, and by signposting to key local and national resources (led by Martin Crow LSAB Business Manager).
Lewisham SAB - Modern Slavery Awareness Day (external website)